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Easter Sunday

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Text by Sydni Hebert / Photos by Hélène Dujardin and Mac Kilduff

Where will you be brunching?

Easter is early this year. It’s literally around the corner: 2 days and counting! If you and your family partake in the traditional observance of going to church and then brunch- rejoice! There are always endless dining options in the Holy City and Easter Sunday is no exception. Every restaurant will be hustling and bustling with patrons both celebrating the holiday and welcoming spring alike. Chefs will be putting their best foot forward, offering traditional brunch items as well as contemporary versions of the classics.

If you haven’t made reservations yet, move that to the top of your to-do list because the restaurants will be busy. Peruse TLP’s list of our favorite spots but keep in mind there are numerous more restaurants ready to celebrate Easter and, more importantly, please your palate.

With a dining experience focused on fresh, local cuisine and gracious hospitality, one can never go wrong choosing to have a meal at the historic 82 Queen restaurant. Their special Easter Brunch menu includes their award winning she-crab soup, Carolina Crab Benedict, and Queen’s Barbeque Shrimp and Grits among other delicious dishes. They also have a selection of salads and sandwiches in addition to traditional brunch fare sure to please every diner. Whether you stop by and have a drink at the bar or enjoy a multicourse meal on their picturesque patio, 82 Queen is a great place to spend your Easter Sunday.

Located just steps from the historical Charleston City Market, Anson restaurant will be offering fresh Spring dishes, packed with local ingredients. On their Easter brunch menu you will find classics like shrimp and grits served with Anson house made bacon, roasted tomatoes and hand milled grits and the chicken fried pork cutlet also served with hand milled grits, collard greens, and hot pepper jelly. They will also be serving cast iron roasted salmon for fish lovers served with arugula, local strawberries, shaved spring onion and a balsamic vinaigrette. If you are craving oysters, they’ll have that too in the form of traditional Southern Brown Oyster stew, cooked with Benne seeds, Carolina oysters, white wine and house ground grits.

Tucked away from bustling East Bay Street, Carolina’s also specializes in Southern cuisine. Here, you can start your afternoon with their Southern Bistro Bloody complete with anchovy wrapped shrimp and your choice of green vegetables or something a little fruiter like their peach nectar Bellini. Begin your meal with tasty dishes like parmesan truffle fries and fried oysters with spicy aioli and then indulge in your main course, among which could be the grilled quail, braised short rib and fried eggs or grilled hanger steak. Venture off the beaten path to see what you’ve been missing at Carolina’s.

Another favorite of both locals and tourists alike is the beloved Magnolias restaurant where they serve up upscale Southern cuisine with a modern twist and artful presentation. In addition to their usual Sunday brunch menu, they will also be offering Easter specials. Diners can look forward to asparagus soup with lemon crème fraîche and smoked sausage and scrambled eggs with cheddar cheese grits, poblano and sweet corn salsa. Visit Magnolias to experience traditional Southern food with an interesting spin, sure to please your palate.

The places we’ve suggested here are all very traditional Southern restaurants, so don’t forget about some of the more innovative menus offered around the Charleston peninsula. Some suggestions: The Grocery, The Macintosh, and Two Boroughs Larder. Check them out online!